Aboriginal Health

The Era Of Self Determination

Aboriginal people have never ceded sovereignty of this country. We have insisted that we are the rightful 'owners' of this country. We have always pursued a self determinant course. Slowly Governments have recognised that self determination is our right, and versions of this principle have now been widely incorporated into Government policy. However, the practice remains inadequate and paternalistic. "White fellahs" continue to believe that they know what is best for us. In practice, assimilationist attitudes continue to dominate non-Aboriginal structures.

Since the early 1970's, there has been a growth of community controlled services in Australia. Aboriginal people created organisations (like health services, and housing associations) to address the needs of communities. These organisations face problems due to their historical position. They are fairly new to Aboriginal experience. Many are forced to employ significant numbers of non-Aboriginal people because few Aboriginal people have received the kind of Western education and skills required to carry out many of the tasks required. Nevertheless, they maintain a strong practice of Aboriginal management and control.

Often the Aboriginal community and its organisations will have different views on subjects. This is difficult for Government to deal with. They operate as though 'The Aboriginal Community' is of one opinion. This of course is false. People always argue about things. Often, the more important and vital the issue the more passionately people will disagree. It is through these conflicts that new ideas are developed and things eventually move forward.

Despite these limitations, and despite the fact that many Government agencies continue act as though they do not represent Aboriginal people, these organisations are the strongest expressions of Aboriginal self determination, and must form the basis of any successful attempts to change the health status of Aboriginal people.